CHAPTER I.
THE NEW MANAGEMENT.

WITH this chapter begins a new epoch in the "Story of the Jubilee Singers."

Hitherto, the triumphs and wonderful achievements had been accomplished under the direction and management of the so-called dominant race, but in September, 1882, a Negro steps to the helm and henceforth directs the now famous Jubilee Craft. He fully realized that it was no easy task to come out of the ranks, where he had been on equal terms with the rest of the company, and take command; that it would greatly damage the cause of the Negro, if, under the management of one of the race, there should be in any respect a failure, and how thousands, who have no confidence in the leadership of the Black Man, would say significantly, "I told you so," or "I knew it." Many were the predictions which came to our ears of the utter failure of the company under the new management.

In May, 1882, Mr. White, who had been managing the company since 1879, told us, when disbanding for the season, that he saw no prospect of keeping the company together longer, and I was urged by some of the members, who, with myself, thought the work of the Singers not ended, to take the management and direction of the company. Having waited until the latter part of August in the vain hope that Mr. White would again take up the work, I set about the task of re-organization.

Not quite all were willing to continue in the company under the new conditions and the task of filling those places thus made vacant, for the time had already passed when, if we were to be in the field, the work of organizing should be complete, was by no means easy.

After searching through several states, the vacancies were well filled and the work of rehearsal began. After nearly a month spent thus, the new parts of the Craft were fitted to their places, and the vessel, with its new helmsman, was, with all sails set, soon under way.

Two very successful years were spent in the United States and Canada. But a desire for new and greater achievements than the little band had ever won was ever present with me; but to find a field where this was possible was the perplexing question.

It did not seem possible to do this in either Europe or America, for they were neither of them new fields; so, finally, it was decided to circumnavigate the globe; and we resolved to sing these sweet, tuneful melodies in lands where they had not yet been heard, and where we were entire strangers.

With this end in view, we sailed from New York, April 3, 1884, bound for Great Britain.

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This "Supplement" by F. J. Loudin to The Story of the Jubilee Singers by J. B. T. Marsh was transcribed by Jeff Farmer from an 1892 edition of the book.

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Fisk Jubilee Singers
World Tour, 1884-1890
by F. J. Loudin